Tommie L. Watkins Jr. papers, 2000-2009.
Collection Number: 7737

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library


DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
Tommie L. Watkins Jr. papers, 2000-2009.
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Collection Number:
7737
Abstract:
Papers of Rev. Tommie Lee Watkins Jr., documenting his interaction with the U.S. Navy regarding their demand that he repay tuition. During the three-year administrative process, Watkins asserted that the Navy's insistence that he repay tuition when it had excused numerous cases involving white students was influenced by racism. His papers also document his views on communities of faith and the inclusion and affirmation of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, those questioning their sexuality, people living with AIDS, and their families. Includes correspondence, essays, clippings, and a videorecording of a service at Miami, Florida's Greater Bethel A.M.E. (African Methodist Episcopal Church) Church on April 15, 2001, where Watkins worked as program director for HIV/AIDS prevention education.
Creator:
Watkins, Tommie L., Jr.
Quanitities:
.3 cubic feet.
Language:
Collection material in English

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Ordained a Baptist minister in 1991, Watkins served as youth minister at the First Missionary Baptist Church of Hueytown in Bessemer, Alabama. He attended the United States Naval Academy from 1994 to 1997, where he was elected class president and earned the rank of battalion commander. In 1997, he resigned after allegations of homosexual activity. He finished his degree at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, and has worked as a business analyst, math teacher, and health educator focusing on gay youth and communities of color. In 2000, the South Florida Conference of the AME Church denied his application for ordination as an A.M.E. itinerent deacon (the lowest level of itinerent minister). He founded the Ministry of Reconciliation, which is an inclusive and affirming education and worship experience primarily for Black Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning persons, Persons Living With AIDS (PLWAs), and their family members. In 2005, Watkins published a book about his life experiences titled "Living Out Loud."

COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

Papers of Rev. Tommie Lee Watkins Jr., documenting his interaction with the U.S. Navy regarding their demand that he repay tuition. During the three-year administrative process, Watkins asserted that the Navy's insistence that he repay tuition when it had excused numerous cases involving white students was influenced by racism. His papers also document his views on communities of faith and the inclusion and affirmation of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, those questioning their sexuality, people living with AIDS, and their families. Includes correspondence, essays, clippings, and a videorecording of a service at Miami, Florida's Greater Bethel A.M.E. (African Methodist Episcopal Church) Church on April 15, 2001, where Watkins worked as program director for HIV/AIDS prevention education.

RELATED MATERIALS

Collecting program: Human Sexuality Collection

INFORMATION FOR USERS

Cite As:

Tommie L. Watkins Jr. papers, # 7737. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.

SUBJECTS

Names:
African Methodist Episcopal Church -- : Florida.
United States. Navy -- : Gays.
Subjects:
Gay military personnel -- United States -- Government policy.
Race discrimination -- United States.
Homophobia -- United States.
Homosexuality -- Religious aspects.
Gay clergy -- United States.
African-American gays -- United States.

CONTAINER LIST
Container
Description
Date
Box 1 Box 1, Folder 1
2004 resume and Colin Higgins Courage Award certificate of recognition
2004
Box 1 Box 1, Folder 2
"Ministry of Reconciliation," paper by Watkins
2000
Box 1 Box 1, Folder 3
Correspondence re: debt to the Navy
2000
Box 1 Box 1, Folder 4
Henderson, Mitch letter to editor about Watkins' debt to Navy
n.d.
Box 1 Box 1, Folder 5
Washington Post
2000
Box 1 Box 1, Folder 6
"Rev. Tommy Watkins: Faith Warrior," article in Venus and readers' responses
2001
Box 1 Box 1, Folder 7
CU Out and About (Univ. of Colorado at Boulder)
2002
Box 1 Box 1, Folder 8
Clippings
2000
Box 1 Box 1, Folder 9
Clippings
2000-2005
Box 1 Box 1, Folder 10
Mosaic event poster
2003
Box 1 Box 1‡ v. 722
Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church service
2001
Box 2 Box 2, Folder 1
Rev. Tommie Watkins Articles of Venus
2001
Box 2 Box 2, Folder 2
Advocate Article and Bulletin Full Truth Ministries
2006
Box 2 Box 2, Folder 3
Events
2007
Box 2 Box 2, Folder 4
Diplomas and Articles
2008
Box 2 Box 2, Folder 5
Diplomas
2008
Box 2 Box 2, Folder 6
Articles
2009
Box 2 Box 2, Folder 7
Articles
2009